Six reasons you should stop eating fast food immediately

There’s no denying the appeal of fast food – it’s affordable, convenient,
and in many cases, it even tastes good. With endless to-do lists and not
enough time in a day to accomplish everything on them, it’s no wonder why 8 in 10 Americans ear at a fast food restaurant at least once a month. But make no mistake…the small convenience this dining option offers is
not worth the price you’ll pay when it comes to your health.

Here are some of the main reasons you should avoid eating fast food
altogether:

1. You’ll gain weight

Eating foods that are high in
calories, fat, sugar, and sodium
feels rewarding in the short-term, but can lead to unwanted weight gain and
diabetes
down the road. Even choices disguised as “healthy options” like salads can
cause your waistline to expand over time due to add-ins like high-fat
dressings, cheese, and bacon.

2. Fast food is addictive

Believe it or not, it’s possible to become addicted to fast food, just like
you can with nicotine or drugs. The
salty, sugary, and fatty ingredients cause
full-fledged physical cravings
that drive you to consume more and more (even if you try to fight it).
Don’t let those French fries and milkshakes draw you back in — cut off the
potential for an addiction now.

3. You’re not getting any nutrition

If your diet is heavy on fast food, you might be putting yourself on the
path to a harmful vitamin deficiency. Most of the menu items at these
restaurants, from fried chicken to an excess of white bread, don’t carry
the
essential fiber, minerals, and healthy fats
needed to fuel your body. Instead, you get all of the empty calories that
feel good in the moment but leave you weaker in the long run.

4. Depression and anxiety

Food can affect your mental health just as it does your physical health.
When you eat too many carbs (like the ones found in fries, pizza, and
buns), the lack of
essential ingredients for brain functioning
can potentially cause anxiety and depression.

5. Digestive problems hit hard

Nothing can ruin the joy of a meal quite like an upset stomach. If you
regularly experience things like acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, or
heartburn, caffeinated drinks and greasy, high-fat food only make these bodily troubles worse. Not only that, regular consumption of these foods can cause you to
develop these issues without having previously experienced them at all!
Take a step back and consider how avoiding fast food can keep your stomach
strong (without having to reach for an anti-acid).

6. Your heart suffers

Your taste buds may thank you for eating fast food, but your heart
certainly won’t. The tasty, yet damaging agents in fast food
contribute to heart disease
in different ways: sugar leads to weight gain and obesity, high salt
content increases blood pressure, and excessive saturated fat raises
cholesterol — all of which puts you at risk for heart problems. In order to
keep your heart pumping as strongly as it should, you need to maintain a
diet
that’s “low in salt, sugar, and saturated fats, and high in fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains.”

Here’s the reality – fast food may be cheap, quick, and delicious, but the
rewards pale in comparison to the potential consequences. While it may be
hard to part ways with your favorite fast food joint, it might just be the
wisest breakup of your life.

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